Donna Lee MacDonald

Donna Lee MacDonald, of Bellingham, WA, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 21, 2021. She was born in Bellingham to Wilma (Moore) and Floyd Johnson. Donna spent her childhood years in the family home on Cottonwood Avenue and graduated from Bellingham High School in 1947. Donna married Alex MacDonald in 1948. Together, they raised 5 children on a family farm along the Nooksack River. Family activities centered around the farm: raising animals, including unusual family pets such as foxes and skunks, and spending summers bringing in hay and silage and showing 4-H animals at the NW Washington Fair. There were many fun breaks, including water skiing on Lake Whatcom after a day of haying, going to harness races, fly-ins to the San Juan Islands, and winter trips to watch the Huskies play in the Rose Bowl, as well as get-togethers with friends and dancing at the Elks Club. Donna always worked outside the home and managed to balance work and family. She had a long career in accounting, working successively for Mr. J. W. Norris, Harvey Tebrich, and the firm that is now Metcalf Hodges CPAs. In ___ she went to work for Thomas Horn, a local businessman and philanthropist. Upon his death in 1995, Donna became the Executive Director of the newly created Thomas and Martina Horn Foundation, which supported human services and education institutions in local communities. This was a perfect extension of Donna’s long-time commitment for giving generously to support mental health, women, and children’s needs in the community. Donna loved to dance. She enjoyed ballroom dancing at the Bellingham Senior Center and in Mt. Vernon at Hillcrest Park. Together, this intermingled group planned trips to Harrison Hot Springs to enjoy time together and evening dancing. She shared these activities with her companion of 40 years, and dance partner, Dan Bilson. Donna enjoyed spending time with her large family, especially getting together for picnics and boat trips that included as many of her great grandchildren as possible. Donna was preceded in death by her parents, her daughter Jill MacDonald, her son, Jack MacDonald, and her former husband, Alex MacDonald. Donna is survived by her daughters Linda Holman, Nancy MacDonald, and Jan Jones, grandchildren Kevin Vail, Andy Holman, Caitlin Holman, Jesse Voorhies, Rawley Voorhies, Sean Baxter, Tyler Baxter-MacDonald, Nathan Baxter-MacDonald, and numerous great-grandchildren. The family wishes to thank the staff of Brookdale Fairhaven Senior Living for their thoughtful care in the last months of Donna’s life. Arrangements for cremation and a private family gathering are pending. Please share your memories of Donna in her online guestbook.

Donna Lee MacDonald

June 28, 1929 - August 21, 2021